Her distress put him on his metal. He laid his arm about her shoulders. "Don't be frightened, dear. She won't discover a thing. Run to your rooms. I will go down and see the comedy through." "Yes, yes, I know I can rely upon you." He opened the door and she slipped out upon the landing and up the stairs. As she disappeared around the bend, Alexis started downwards. Accompanied by Gerald Boynton and two strangers, Ellen was waiting in the octagonal hall. They were giggling so hard at the fountain that Alexis had to cough twice before they became aware of his presence. Upon catching sight of him Ellen swept forward gayly. "We were admiring your companion," she drawled with a little dry laugh. "She is hardly entertaining," replied Alexis. "But I hear you are in trouble. What can I do to help?" "Oh, nothing, thank you. I guess the chauffeur can manage by himself. Our wheel came off just as we were passing your driveway. Wasn't it too providential? It might have happened out in the open country." "Very providential." Alexis's brows were quizzical. "Won't you come upstairs while you are waiting? I'll send my chauffeur out to help your man." He nodded to Jules. "We'd love to. But I forgot to introduce my friends. What must you think of me?" She was already half way up the flight of stairs. "This beautiful little person is Miss Olive Fay of the 'Cloggers.'" She pushed forward a fluffy little blonde with large, ingenuous eyes. "You have heard of her, I am sure. Her fame has gone abroad." "I have seen your photograph in the Sunday papers. Miss Fay." Alexis bowed formally over the tiny paw. "I am much nicer, aren't I?" She pouted pretty painted lips, and looked up at him beneath darkened lashes. "Much!" His ironic inflection piqued her. "And this is Señor Caldenas. He paints portraits of society ladies. He is rapidly acquiring a fortune because he insists upon their posing in mediæval costumes and compares their souls to the Mona Lisa." "That is because I believe in reincarnation," the little man smiled affably up at Alexis, who warmed up to him most unexpectedly. "And this is Mr. Boynton. He was at Anne's for tea. Do you remember?" Ellen's eyes were amused. "Of course, how could I forget an occasion like that?" Alexis' voice was cool. They had reached the landing and he stood aside as they entered the large salon. "Why, it is the old world!" exclaimed the Spaniard, advancing into the room with small prancing steps. "Quite vieux monde. I congratulate you. Absolutely authentic, although a little new and smelling of varnish, if one may say it?" Ellen sank into a highbacked chair, laughing. "Even Florentine villas were young once! Pedro would like to have everything covered with dry rot. He doesn't enjoy sitting in a chair unless it is ready to break under him. He won't even come to see me any more, because he says my house upsets his functional system." "It's true. It does." Caldenas nodded like a serious baby.